Tiny droplets of drizzling rain caused azure colored eyes to open.  After blinking a couple of times, they slowly closed.  Next came a slow moan as Leigh Sinclaire tried once again to open her eyes.  After another few tries, she finally succeeded and found that she was looking up at the sky. Dark gray clouds floated aimlessly above her as the rain fell. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she was outside.  Dawn had not quite kissed the sky, but it was getting there. And when she tried to stretch her long legs and found herself pushing what resembled a brake pedal, it didn’t take long for her to realize that she was in a car.  She reached out and ran her fingers over the cool leather of the steering wheel. Damn I hope it’s my car…I just hate waking up and realizing that it’s not.

A song played on the radio that Leigh recognized as “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” by Paula Cole.  It seemed to mix beautifully with a sound that Leigh was more that familiar with.  Ignoring the slight pain from the crook in her neck, Leigh turned slightly to the left and found her gaze falling upon the ocean.  A soothing calm settled over her as she watched the waves tumble easily upon each other.  That calm quickly faded when she felt a stirring in her lap.

Leigh’s head jerked downward to find Erin Bradshaw sleeping.  Whoa…I think we need an instant replay on that one. Leigh looked again at the ocean and then back at her lap to only have her eyes rest on a tousled head of blonde hair that fell haphazardly across Erin’s eyes.  Nope…Goodie Locks is still there. Is this the part where I should be saying…somebody’s been sleeping in my lap…and I’ll be damned it they’re still here. Leigh chuckled slightly at her own thought, which stirred Erin a little. Leigh watched with amusement when the blonde yawned and nestled her head even closer to Leigh’s exposed stomach.  Leigh felt a light tingle from Erin’s breathing. Sleepy eyes traveled from one of the most adorable noses Leigh had ever seen, to Erin’s mouth that was slightly parted, lazily ending on her stomach.  Her shirt was slightly pushed up to reveal a toned abdomen. Leigh smirked a little when she saw a bottle of Dom Perigon clutched in the blonde’s hand.  “I bet that’s empty.” Leigh muttered.

Not wanting to disturb her anymore, Leigh slowly lifted her arms and then ran her hands through her damp dark hair. The rain was beginning to slow to a fine mist. “Ok…Leigh what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now.” She glanced to the right and a smile crossed her face.  They were parked at the beach…or rather in the middle of it.  Leigh spotted the long set of tire tracks that she left in the sand.

Just then her cell phone rung, she quickly grabbed for it.  But did not answer it until she saw that she hadn’t awaken Erin, who seemed to still be sleeping soundly.  “Hello.” Leigh answered quietly and laid her head back against the headrest.

“Good Morning Blue Eyes.” Rory cooed over the phone.

Leigh rolled her eyes. She could hear the loud music playing in the background.  Apparently the party hadn’t stopped just because she and Erin had left.  “That depends on who you’re talking too.” She grumbled.

Rory ignored her comment.  “Well I’m just calling to make sure you made it home OK.”

“How nice of you?” Leigh responded with enough fake sweetness in her voice that she could have given Rory a toothache. “Well I made it somewhere…how far home is away from me I don’t know.”

“What…where are you?”

“Well it seems I’m in my car and at the beach.”

“Again?” Rory asked with a chuckle.

“Isn’t that what I just said.” Leigh snapped and massaged her temples. “Tell me this….what the hell was in that punch?”

“Ah you know a little of this…a little of that.  Just enough liquor that it tasted wonderful but would leave you drunk and stumbling after a few glasses.  My own special recipe.”

“I see.” Leigh recalled the several cups she’d partaken of the spirited punch.  Another with that she remembered the party.  It had been exactly how all Rory’s other parties had been… filled with loud music, liquor, famous actors, athletes, and an assorted list of Miami’s most popular.  The parties usually ending with Rory getting in a heated argument with his latest fling or when the cops arrived.  Last night had been no exception.

“Don’t tell me darling that Leigh Sinclaire has a hang over.”

“Ok…I won’t tell you then.”

“So where is that gorgeous little blonde that came with you.  I must say Leigh she is quite the life of the party.”

“She sure was.” Leigh added as she remembered Erin drinking a few glasses of punch as well.

“Did she make it home OK?” Rory asked and Leigh looked down at the sleeping woman and rolled her eyes.  There was no way that she was going to tell Rory of she and Erin Bradshaw’s current sleeping arrangement.  The implications of the whole situation would no doubt spread like wild fire.

“Yeah…she made it home safely.” Leigh Sinclaire you are such a liar. “She’s probably sleeping like a baby right about now.” She added guiltily wanting to add a bit of truth to her story.

“Good because I know a guy who would probably die if she didn’t. Damien Reynolds , the starving artist from Palms Springs, has been bugging me about the precious girl all night.  He’s definitely interested Leigh.”

“So I noticed.” Leigh said sarcastically, remembering how the handsome sculptor had been lingering on every word and thing Erin did last night.  For some reason it had irked the hell out her.  So much so that she found herself watching the pair through out the evening with hooded blue eyes.

“Well honey…I’m tired as hell and it seems that I have more that a few guests that seemed to think that this was a sleepover.  So while I going to clear house… you darling should try to find your way home and get some sleep.  It’d absolutely destroy me to see those beautiful eyes of yours with bags under them.” Rory laughed a little.  “Chow.” And then he hung up.

Leigh felt another stirring in her lap and again she looked to see Erin's eyelids fluttering. She watched with a fascination that she didn't quite understand until sleep clouded green eyes opened

"Hey." Erin said with a slow grin pulling at her lips followed by a yawn.

"Hey to you too sleepy head." Leigh found herself saying softly back as she gently pushed blonde hair out of Erin's face. "Are you OK?"

"I think so." Then Erin giggled.

Yeap... still a little drunk... but hey so I am. Surprisingly, Leigh wouldn't have minded if Erin's head stayed where it was a little longer, but going against her feeling she help Erin up until she was sitting up on the passenger side. "There we go." Leigh said with a smile. Erin blinked a couple of times and let out a ragged sigh. Only to close her eyes again. And the next thing Leigh heard was a slight snore. "There she goes again out like a light. We better get you home."

Leigh reached and turned the key in the ignition and gunned the engine. She looked into the rearview mirror to see a pair of tired blue eyes staring back at her...but that wasn't what grabbed her attention. With her fingertip, she turned the mirror slightly to the right. Instantly she began laughing when she recognized her house. "Well Rory I did make it home safely...my aim was just a little off be a hundred yards or so."

Leigh threw the silver Jaguar in gear and stepped on the gas. Making an almost complete circle in the sand...Leigh made a sharp turn and headed towards her house.

The door to Leigh Sinclaire's house was flung open and made quite a bit of noise when it slammed against the wall. "Ouch...I think that may leave a mark." Leigh mumbled when she heard the sound. Gripping a half-sleep Erin Bradshaw to her side, Leigh slowly entered into the house. Actually since she herself was little inebriated, she and the art bounty hunter, stumbled into the house. Had it not been for the little strength that Leigh had left in her, she and Erin would be face down on the hardwood floor.

Once inside Leigh kicked the door shut with heel of her boot.  As if the slamming door was his cue, Bernie came trotting down the hall towards the women.  He came to a stop and just stared. The only sound heard was his panting.  Leigh smiled.  “Damn Bernie, you’re looking at me like I stayed out past curfew or something.”

Leigh looked at the long stairwell and sighed.  “Kansas…I admit that I’m quite fond of yah… but I don’t think I can carry you upstairs.”

Bernie took that opportunity to bark a couple of times and roused Erin a little.  “Bernie…is that you?” She said with that silly grin that Leigh had now burned into her memory.  Could she get any more adorable….damn it Leigh could you get anymore sappy…with those comments!!!!

 Leigh leaned her against the wall and tilted her chin up and smiled.  “Nice to see that you’ve joined us again.” Leigh couldn’t help herself and found herself affectionately giving a quick tap to Erin’s nose.

”Its good to be back.” Erin gave a fake salute and then frowned.  “But wait a minute where have I been?” And then she started laughing.

Leigh simply shook her head and then glanced over at Bernie.  “What am I going to do with her?”  Taking Erin back in her arms, they head towards the stairs.  “I betta get you upstairs before you pass out on me again…so you and  I can sleep off that bottle of Dom P. that’s laying on the floor of my car.” Leigh gave a silent pray of thanks when it seemed like Erin was holding her own on the way up the stairs.  Once again Erin had her arms wrapped tight around Leigh’s waist and her head was resting against her shoulder. Bernie was right on their heels.

“Well let’s see which guest room do you want Kansas.” Leigh spoke in her best game show voice, when they finally reached the top of the stairs.  “Will it be door number 1, door number 2, door number 3, or door number 4.I would offer you door number 5…but that’s my room.” She wiggled dark eyebrows at Erin who returned a smile.  Erin then held up two clumsy fingers and giggled.  “Door 2 it is.” Leigh responded as the two women walked down the hall.

The Leigh felt a warm hand tapping on her stomach.  She looked down to see Erin looking up at her. “Yes?”

“I have to use the bathroom.” Erin whispered.

Leigh wanted to laugh at the blonde’s effort to be quiet because there was no one else in the house.  “Ok… its right through this door.” Leigh stopped in front of the bathroom and opened the door.

“Thanks.” Again Erin whispered again and slowly walked into the bathroom and then closed the door.

Since Leigh had a few minutes…she figured she would walk into the guest bedroom to check it out.

She went to pull back the covers on the bed and then quickly returned to the bathroom...only to find it empty.

“Where the hell…..” Leigh glanced through her bedroom doorway and saw movement on her bed.  Slowly she entered her room there was Erin laying face down on her king size canopy bed.  I don’t care if she is blonde and in your bed. My goodness Leigh if you make one more Goldie Locks metaphor about this woman….

"It figures that she could change her mind and choose the one room I said was unavailable." Leigh smirked at the sleeping woman. She was out cold. "Well we can't let her sleep like that can we...." Leigh glanced over at Bernie. No doubt like her own clothing...Erin's was damp from the drizzling rain. And wet leather was most definitely not the most comfortable to sleep in. "But I guess I better change first before I tackle the task of undressing Ms. Bradshaw."

A few minutes later, dressed in a white T-shirt and boxer shorts, Leigh turned Erin over on her back. And Leigh found herself giving the blonde body a once over. She had noticed before, but her damp T-shirt clung tightly to her body and the pants.  Get it together Leigh...Why does looking at her affect you so much like this? Ok...start with something simple.. Leigh looked down at Erin's boots. Good choice.

One by one she pulled off the brown boots and made a mental note to ask Erin where she had gotten them from...they were kind of cool. Next she pulled off the blonde's socks. Leigh couldn't help herself and affectionately tickled the petite toes. This caused Erin to move a little bit but not wake up.

"Let's see what's next?" Blue eyes fell on the waistband of Erin's pants. Relax... you've undressed people before...in this room...in this bed. Leigh rationalize, when she notice how hesitant she was about continuing her present task. But none of them were passed out blonde women... whom I think I may or may not have some type of attraction too. Did I just say that? Yeap!

Leigh took a step back and shook her head. "It must be the alcohol talking." Attracted? What in the world does that mean. But when she looked down at Erin…she knew exactly what that meant.  Out of the blue…Leigh did a quick calculation of the last time she’s had sex…and it had been a couple of weeks. That long?  Not that she wasn’t able to go long periods of time without….a couple of weeks could be considered a drought. Could this be the reason for her “flirtatious” behavior towards Erin. No….she’s a woman.  I’m just drunk that’s all.

Get it together Sinclaire. Leigh yelled in her head.  She looked over at watching Bernie and just shook her head.  You're being ridiculous...just undress the damn woman and get it over with. She felt a slight wave of dizziness wash over her.  "Damn Rory and that damn punch...." She hissed.

Once again, Leigh approached a sleeping Erin Bradshaw.  She sat on the side of the bed and with slightly shaking fingers she reached for the waistband of Erin's pants. She unzipped and slowly started to pull them down.  But the tight leather did not want to budge down Erin's hips.

"Great." Leigh muttered...remembering her own tug-of-war to get off her pants. More than once, the CEO had almost tumbled to the floor.

Without thinking Leigh moved further onto the bed until she was on her knees beside Erin.  "Let's try this again shall we." Grabbing both sides of Erin hips, Leigh pushed her hands further down into the waistband of her pants and then tugged harder than before. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the pants slowly moving down the woman's hips to expose white panties.  She was tempted to look under the bandaged at the Erin’s brand new tattoo, but decided against it….since the area could still be sensitive.  I still can’t believe she did that….Leigh mused with a raised brow.  I wonder what other surprises she has in store?

Quickly she pulled the pants down her legs and off. "Finally." She grumbled and threw the pants at Bernie who instantly began to play with them.

"Hey...if you put them on...I'll be damned it I'm taking them off you." Leigh simply laughed at little at her own remark and at how her dog was looking at her. She turned back to Erin and found her eyes trailing to her stomach. You know...she would look really cute with her belly-button pierce. Leigh thought as she placed Erin's arms above her head started to fiddle with the edge of Erin's T-shirt.  I wonder if she’s up to getting one of those.

Pulling the form-fitting T-shirt off proved to be a lot easier task than the pants. Just as Leigh was getting ready to throw the shirt at Bernie, she saw sleepy green eyes looking up at her.  “Oh now you wanna wake up.” Leigh muttered before throwing the shirt to the floor. “After I’ve done all the work.”

Erin grinned goofily and then reached up and pushed dark locks of hair out of Leigh’s face. “Such pretty eyes…”She said softly and their eyes locked.  Leigh swallowed really hard when Erin’s fingertips grazed her cheek.  There’s that funny feeling again Sinclaire… watch it…..

“Thanks….” Leigh said barely above a whisper and offered a shy smile.

Once again Erin yawned and left her arm fall clumsily back to her side. “Nighty night blue eyes” She mumbled before turning slightly to the side.  A few seconds later Leigh watched her chest rise and fall in an even level.  Once again that evening Erin Bradshaw had passed out on her.

Instead of getting off the bed, Leigh simply fell back against the covers. "Dammit... its my bed... and I'll sleep in it if I want to." She said to her reflection in the mirror above her. Besides I don't think I could move after what I just experienced when she looked at me....either that of Rory's damn punch.

She waited in the corners of the dimly lit room.  Just waiting for the perfect moment to step out of the shadows and make herself known. She knew she was not alone.  Someone else was somewhere lurking in utter silence.

Then a perfect stream of moonlight burst through the window and illuminated the tall form standing in front of the display case. Within seconds and almost like a magic trick, the Rhine Ruby was securely in their grasp.

"I've got you." Erin said quietly as she walked towards the thief. She'd expected for them to turn around abruptly or perhaps even run, but they didn't. Instead the dark figure slowly stood up straight and slowly turned. Immediately Erin's attention snapped to a pair of light blue eyes that seemed to shine in the dark. Nonchalantly they stood there as if this meeting was an everyday common occurrence.

"Take off the mask." Erin demanded.  Without hesitation the stranger did and dark hair fall forward into their face.  With a casual toss of their head, a beautiful face was revealed.  Leigh Sinclaire's face.

"I knew it was you." Erin said triumphantly.

"Bravo." Leigh clapped her hands together a few times. "And now that you've proven it...what now Kansas?"  Leigh drawled casually and took a step forward.  "What do you want now?"

"I want the Ruby."

Once again without hesitation, Leigh reached out and grabbed Erin's hand. "What the lady wants...the lady gets." She placed the sparkling ruby in her hand. "Now what?"

"What do you mean?" Erin asked realizing she'd now accomplished what she'd set out to do when she'd first been assigned to the case.  To catch the thief and recover the Ruby...

"I'm saying." Another step was taken.  "Is that all you want?  Is that all you want from me?"

"Of course...what else could there possibly be?"

Leigh continued to walk forward, and for every step taken...Erin moved back until her back hit the wall.

Leigh leaned in and placed her hands on the wall on each side of Erin's face.  "Oh I think there is definitely more."

A loud clap of thunder ripped Erin Bradshaw out of her dream world and pulled her crashing down into reality.  She sat up with a start and immediately grabbed her head that was pounding. "Shit" she sneered and fell back against the pillows and cuddled even more between the covers. She pulled the thick beige comfortable up to her chin and then stopped abruptly. "I don't have a beige comforter on my bed.  Hell I don't think I even own a beige comforter." She said quietly to herself.

She turned flat on her back and opened her eyes and realized that the beige comforter was the least of her

problems.  There above her in the dimly lit room was her reflection in a mirror. "Now I'm pretty sure I don't have one of those over my bed." To make sure her head didn't explode this time, she sat up slowly and looked around.  Nothing was familiar to her. She recognized that she was lying in a bedroom, but also that it wasn’t her bedroom. Yeap Bradshaw looks like you aren't in Kansas anymore. "So where the hell am I?" She asked the empty room. And then her question was answered.

“My goodness the dead has arisen.” A drawled a rich smoky voice that even in Erin’s hazy state she recognized.  She lifted the pillow off her head and turned.  There standing in the doorway was Leigh Sinclaire draped only in a towel and soaking wet. Dark wet dresses were slick back from her face, which held one of her famous lop-sided grins and even from across the room, Erin could see her blue eyes filled with amusement.

“Tell me I’m still dreaming?” Erin asked sleepily as she yawned.  That would explain a lot.

Still dreaming? Was she dreaming about me?  “That depends how many dreams have you had about me only being a in a towel.” Leigh said sheepishly and then gave herself as mental slap.  Damn it Leigh the woman just woke up and here you are flirting with her again.  Stop it!  She’s a woman!

Dawning seemed to register in the emerald eyes as she sat up straight.  Nope this isn’t a dream. Well this is one wake up call I wasn’t expecting. Erin rose up until her elbows held her up.  “Why?” Was all that Erin managed to say.

“Why what?” Leigh asked as she stepped forward.  “Why are you in my house?  Why are you in my bed? Or why am I wet.  Although I think that is self-explanatory since I’m standing in the doorway of my bath room.”

Erin grabbed her head. “Damn, must you be a smart ass first thing in the morning?”

“No…since it’s the afternoon , I thought I would give it a shot.” Leigh remarked casually.

“Afternoon?” Erin asked beyond confused.

“Yeap…it’s 2:00pm.”

“What?”

“It’s 2:00pm Saturday afternoon.” Leigh nodded towards the clock on the nightstand.  Erin followed her gaze and saw 2:00pm staring at her in huge neon green letters.

“If it’s 2:00pm…why is it so dark?” She asked.

“Simple a storm is brewing outside that is suppose to last the rest of the day.” Leigh explained as she walked over and sat on the bed.  “It’s suppose to be pretty nasty.  Take a look for yourself.”

“I think I will.” Erin eyed Leigh carefully and then moved to look out the window beside the bed.  The comforter fell away and then Erin realized that she didn’t have on any clothes.  She turned towards Leigh slowly. There was another clap of thunder and a flash of lightening. “Why don’t I have any clothes on?”

“You do…your bra and panties anyway.” Leigh stepped closer.  “I undressed you.”

“Why?”

“I mean did you really want to sleep in those leather pants.  I know I didn’t want to in mine.  ”Leigh shook her head.  “You would have woke up ten pounds lighter from all the sweating”

“You undressed me and I slept here.” Erin touched the mattress. ”Why didn’t you take me home?”

“It was late and my house was closer.” Yeap… we practically woke up in my backyard….

“You could have put me in a taxi.”

“I suppose that’s true.  But hey I didn’t.  No harm done.” Leigh shrugged.

“No harm done!” Erin said sarcastically.  “You’re a major suspect in a case I’m investigating.  I definitely don’t think it’s a good thing for me to be waking up in your bed.”

“Hey relax there Kansas…no one knows.  We’re the only two people here. Besides it’s a comfortable bed…”

“I suppose so…” Erin answered and then groaned.  “Look who cares how comfortable your damn bed is….you have more rooms than Buckingham Palace…how did I end up in this room and in this bed.”

“That’s where you fell asleep.”

“Why was I in your bed in the first place? Erin you didn’t….of course I didn’t…but what the hell did I do.

“Well you came in my room, got in my bed, one thing lead to another and…”

Leigh saw green eyes grow even wider.  “And…”Maybe I did…..Damn Erin think think…..

“And you passed out.” Leigh hunched and watched a wave of obvious relief washed over Erin.  It took everything in her not to laugh.  “You didn’t think that we…” Leigh pointed to herself and then Erin.  I believe she did….

“Of course not!” Erin snapped back and hoped by this time her face was beet red.  Well maybe.  Just for a moment. Get it together Erin…

“Okay…” Leigh said slowly.  “Because if we had, even though very uncharted territory for me,  I truly believe that you would have remembered it.” Her voice bordered on seductive and made Erin feel a strange tingle.  Their eyes met, and Erin tried hard not to let her gaze fall to the lips that held a smile just as seductive as the voice.  Looking into those baby blues didn’t make it any easier.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Was Erin’s only comeback as she finally broke eye contact.  And took that moment to pull the cover back up to at least her waist.

“Well I haven’t had any complaints yet.” Leigh added without thinking and wondered why she couldn’t let the sexual innuendoes die.  Because you’re having too much fun with it…

Erin ignored the comment and cleared her throat. “Let’s get back to the situation at hand shall we.  So what did happen last night anyway.”

Leigh smiled widened and suddenly Erin wished she hadn’t asked the question at all.

“I got a what?” Erin said loudly.

“Relax Kansas I said tattoo not the Ebola virus.” Leigh said with a slight chuckle.  “Speaking of which I should probably take a look at it to make sure you don’t have an infection or anything.” Leigh reached for the covers and watched with amusement when Erin jerked away.  Yanking the covers with her up to her chin. “Ah come on…don’t go playing all shy with me. I mean after the things we’ve shared.” Leigh winked.

Erin just groaned and rubbed her temples. Fuzzy images of her and Leigh started to appear in her hazy mind.  One of which was her face being only inches from Leigh’s as she stood over her.  Quickly her mind was flooded with other images, of a bar, a house, crowd of people, dancing, what looked like a diner, and she and Leigh racing down the street. With confused green eyes she focused in on Leigh.  “I did more than get a tattoo didn’t I?” She asked in a tone that revealed she really didn’t want to know the answer.

“Tsk tsk… art bounty hunter.  Don’t tell me you don’t remember what happened last night.  What in the world are you going to put in that report of yours?” Again Leigh reached for the cover.  “Let me take a look…besides I’m sure you’re dying to see what it looks like as well.”

Of course she wanted to know what the hell the tattoo looked like.  She slowly lifted the cover and looked down.

“I don’t think you have enough light.” Quickly Leigh pulled the cover fully back to expose Erin’s body down to her thighs.

Erin was about to protest, but her eyes saw the tattoo peeking out on her hip.  She reached down and moved the waistband of the panties just enough to see it.

“Pretty nice huh?” Leigh asked with a grin as she moved in closer to see.

Speechlessly Erin stared at the blue, black, and silver tattoo of a butterfly.  It stood out strongly against her peach colored skin.  “Yeah….” Erin answered slowly as she ran her fingers over it.  My God I can’t believe I got a tattoo….but I kind of like it.

“At least I didn’t get something like a cross and bones….” She muttered as she looked up in to amused blue eyes.

“Oh…you threw that suggestion out there…but I convinced you that this one was better.” Leigh ran a finger over the tattoo and was glad to see that there was no sign of infection, but she did hear the blonde take in a gasp of breathe.  “Does it hurt?” Leigh asked as her fingers continued to linger on Erin’s skin.

Nope…that doesn’t hurt at all…it just feels so…….”No…um your fingers are just cold.” Erin lied.

Leigh pulled back her hands. “Oh…sorry about that.” She placed both hands on her own face, but they felt quite warm. What is that about?

Despite her shock at what she had done, Erin found herself smiling a little.  "Yeah... it is kinda cool." Leigh saw the blonde’s eyebrows furry slightly as she remembered more about the night before.

"What?" Leigh asked curiously.

"I never got to see yours...." Erin said slowly as she again tried to figure out where that damn tattoo was on the dark haired woman's body.  Damn Bradshaw...you just can't let that drop. Last night is almost a total blur…but you remember that she has a tattoo that you haven’t seen yet……

Grinning roguishly, Leigh nodded. "You know what...." And then stood up.  "That's so true.  I guess since you went out and got one of your own....it's the least I could do for you.  "She turned around and saw Bernie staring at her.  "Well boy...I guess today is your lucky day." Without hesitation, Leigh began undoing her towel and then held it open.

Slowly she lowered the towel. "Let me know when you can see it....." True she could have just dropped the towel, Leigh wasn't sure that was such a good idea. Leigh are you nervous...I mean you've done this a million times...and in far more public places than your bedroom....

Wide green eyes watched, the light blue towel reveal a wet tanned back. It inched lower and lower until Erin thought

She was going to have a complete view of Leigh Sinclaire’s backside.  Then she saw it…on Leigh’s lower back…a small dragon beautifully done in the same colors as her own.

"Are you done..." Leigh called over her shoulder.  "Because I'm starting to think there is something morally wrong with me flashing my dog."

Erin eyes snapped back to see Leigh looking at her. "Yeah...I saw it.  It's really ummm yeah nice." Erin offered and let go a sigh of relief when she saw Leigh tugging the towel back up her body.

When Leigh turned back around, Erin was laying back on the bed with her hands over her face. "You alright?"

Hell no!!! "Yeah...just pulling myself together is all." After what I just saw...felt...I need to do something.  What in hell is going on with you Erin Bradshaw????? But outside her racing mind, she just muttered..."I have a headache."

Leigh finished securing the towel around her body and again sat on the bed. "I figured as much." She reached over directly in front of Erin to get to the nightstand. Pulling along with her the intoxicating scent of her soap and shampoo that Erin couldn't help but inhale with pleasure.  "Here yah go.  "Leigh sat back up straight with a glass of water in one hand and couple of aspirin in the other.

With what strength she could muster, Erin pulled herself back up to a sitting position. "Thanks." She took her the pills from Leigh and then drank the water. To just fall back to the mattress again. "I swear if I spend anymore time with you...I'll really become a pill popper."

Leigh chuckled and pushed back a dark lock of wet hair that had fell in her face. "Well I better go lock up all the medicine cabinets..."

"And all the alcohol too...I think I've had about all I can take for the year.  "She rubbed her temples.  "Is there anything else I need to know about last night? Besides the fact that I made a total ass of myself." Flashes of the body shot scene and then her puking in a certain CEO's expensive car floated before her eyes.

Leigh shrugged. "Well you do remember the party right?"

"A little ....I didn't do anything stupid did I?" Erin vaguely recalled meeting the terribly chic redheaded friend Rory Carmichael......“You were definitely the life of the party. Rory said that you have a permanent place on his guest list from now on. I think it was the whole dance routine with the lampshade on your head."

"Excuse me. I...." Erin pointed to herself. "danced with a lampshade on my head."

"Yeap."

"I don't believe you."

"Well you don't have too. Because Kansas the pictures speak for themselves." Leigh again reached over to the nightstand and picked up a few Polaroids. She handed them to Erin and watched emerald colored eyes grow large as she flipped through them. Yes, there was definitely a picture of Erin with a lamp shade on her head, one of her posing with a bottle of champagne in her hand, one of she and Leigh laughing, and one of....."What the hell...." Erin quickly turned around the photo and shoved it in Leigh's face and then watched the CEO burst out laughing.

"Oh...I had almost forgot about that one.  "There was a point during the evening when Erin had tripped and went tumbling down on unsuspecting Leigh who was sitting on the couch. The photo had only showed the end result.  Erin Bradshaw sprawled out on top of Leigh Sinclaire with her face buried in Leigh's cleavage.  "That Rory sure does love to take photos."

Erin simply groaned and dropped the picture in Leigh's lap. "Once again...is there anything else I should know?"

I guess I could tell you about how I woke up this morning with you sleeping my lap.  Or how a certain person at the party was interesting in you…….Or I could…."So you don't remember the police chase or the shoot out in the alley? " Leigh asked with a wicked smile.  I can’t help myself…she's way too adorable not to tease.

Erin covered her ears and fell back against the covers.

The shower had felt wonderful, thought Erin as she dried off.  She wrapped the fluffy green towel around her still damp body.  "Her bathroom is huge." Erin said as she did another once over of the stylishly decorated room. It was done completely in dark gray marble and in just the right places with white and gold. It's like a bedroom that just happened to have a toilet, shower, and tub. She grinned a little when she saw the flat screen TV angled perfectly so someone in the gigantic garden tub could watch. I may have to look into getting me one of those....

She walked over to the mirror and wiped away the condensation her steamy shower had caused She found herself staring at her reflection. Tired green eyes looked back at her as she smoothed back wet blonde tresses out of her eyes.  She braced herself on the sink and looked down. "Once again Bradshaw..." she started before looking up again. "How the hell did you get here?" As if her reflection would respond, Erin waited several seconds before groaning and rubbing her temples. The aspirin Leigh had given her earlier was finally kicking in. “You were suppose to stick close to her…to find out where that damn Ruby was… not party all night long and have a slumber party.”

The smiling CEO had been greeted with a pillow in her face when she finally admitted to Erin that there in fact had been no police chase nor a shoot out.Which should have sounded impossible in the first place…but when dealing with that woman anything is possible….after all she is a suspect in a criminal investigation… Then not caring if she was only clad in her underwear, a furious and irritated Erin Bradshaw jumped out of the bed and announced that she was going home.  And to her surprise Leigh had objected to the idea and told her that it wasn’t such a good idea because of the storm. And as if the dark-haired woman had orchestrated it herself, a hideously loud clap of thunder boomed to back her up.

Erin had run over to the window and looked out.  She gazed out at the erratically swooning ocean through the downpour of rain.  And she knew that no cab in their right mind would come out in this weather to get her….so she was stuck. For an instant, and only for an instant, she thought about calling McNeil and telling him to send a couple of cops after her.  But dismissed it…She would have too much explaining to do…so she was stuck.  Without saying another word to Leigh she headed for the bathroom and slammed the door.

So there she was wrapped in a towel, staring at herself in the mirror, and wondering what the hell was wrong with her?  And what the hell was up with that dream she had last night?  What could it have possibly meant.  Did she want more from Leigh Sinclaire than finding the ruby and proving that she did it……

Erin sighed, nothing was going according to plan.  She hadn’t gotten the CEO to admit anything about the Rhine Ruby case…nothing at all.  She wasn’t any closer to finding it than she was before she’s decided to indulge in a “girl’s night out.”  All she had managed to do was embarrass herself more than once and possibly compromise myself even more. “Focus Bradshaw focus….” She told herself.  “Let’s see…I’m stuck with the woman for at least a couple of hours until this damn storm lets up…make the best of it.” Erin decided as she finally left the bathroom.

Then for the first time she got a good look at Leigh’s bedroom and marveled at the size of it.  It was exquisitely decorated with an oriental motif that was a wonderfully rich mixture of gold, burgundy, and green.  “Not bad…and just like her…exotic and beautiful.”

Then a strange thought came to mind.  Erin wondered just how many people had seen the inside of Leigh’s bedroom.  Her gaze fell upon the king-size bed.  She couldn’t help but wonder how many men had been seduced by the raven-haired beauty in that very spot.  Her line of thinking made her uncomfortable, but she was thinking it none the less.  Trying to determine how many men she’s been with is not going to help you find that ruby any faster…so focus!

She saw a pair of sweats lying across the bed and a small white box beside them. Figuring that Leigh had left the clothes for her to put on, Erin's attention was drawn to the small box.  She walked over to the bed and picked it up.

"Feel better." Drawled a voice from behind her.

Quickly Erin turned around to see Leigh standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a light blue robe that matched her eyes and her wet hair was beginning to dry in a glorious ebony waterfall of waves.

"Don't scare me like that." Erin snapped.

"Oh...sorry I'll just announce myself next time before walking in my own bedroom" Leigh deadpanned.

Erin sighed. "Sorry...I'm just a little jumpy that's all." She offered irritably.

"No problem...I guess I would behave the same way if I won't up in some strange woman's bed and could barely remember the night before." Leigh grinned and walked into the room.  “Although I really don’t think of myself as strange.”

Smart ass... Erin's only response was to smirk and wrinkled her nose at the comment.

"I see you found your gift...." Leigh nodded towards the box in Erin's hand.

"A gift?  For me?" Erin eyes the CEO suspiciously.

"Yeap." Leigh shrugged but, Erin saw the mischief brewing behind those eyes.

"You know..." Erin held up the box. "In a perfect world, inside this box would be the Rhine Ruby...."

"I suppose." Leigh conceded.

"But knowing you, which I am growing to by the second, that would be too good to be true.  So what is it?"

"There's a simple way to answer that question…open the box." Leigh said while raising a perfectly arched brow.

"How do I know that some fake snake or something isn't going to pop out and scare me?"

Leigh sighed. "Because Kansas, I have way to much class and coolness to try something that corny.” She stepped closer. “Besides if I wanted to scare you" Her voice dropped down a level. "I have more creative ways of doing so."

I’ll say.  Every time you look at me with those eyes….you scare the hell out me with how it makes me feel. Erin took a step back and held up the box.  “Well let’s see what’s in box number one.  ”With Leigh standing close by…Erin opened the box to reveal a small glass bottle.  Teasingly she looked up at Leigh “Poison?”

“Actually I think it smells much better, its called Waking Dreams.” Leigh said.

“Your perfume?” Erin opened the bottle and sniffed it.  She immediately recognized the intoxicating scent that uniquely belonged to the woman in front of her.

“Yeah…you asked me for some remember? Well there you go.”

“But…”

Leigh crossed her arms.  “What?  You thought that I wouldn’t actually follow through with what I said? “

"Well...." Erin closed the bottle."  You do know that I'm going to let Lenny see if can identify this as the perfume he smelled the night of the robbery."

"I know..."

"And you say it's one of a kind...so if he recognizes it...that will be a strong indication that you're the thief...."

"Isn't that what you want?"

"Yeah...of course...but is that what you want?"

"Duh...the obvious answer to that Kansas is No." Leigh said in a goofy voice, which made Erin smile a bit.  And hopefully it won't happen...Lenny had enough alcohol in him to fuel the Challenger......"But the way I look at it...if for some strange reason he does recognize it" Not so strange "its just circumstantial right?  Lots of perfumes smell the same.  You can't get a conviction off that." Leigh tapped her chin thoughtfully." Also you get a few points in this little game....thus the competition heats up and the stakes get higher." Leigh shrugged again.  "And I don't mind that at all."

Erin just shook her head.  "Would it be out of line for me to say you are way too cocky for your own good."

"Nope...I mean you've already called me a smart-ass numerous times. Why stop now?" Leigh answered casually. "Anyway I've been told that before...".

"I see that you haven't taken any of those comments to heart."

"Why should I?" Leigh asked mischievously.

“I don’t know…maybe perhaps so you could humble yourself to walk down here on earth with the rest of us mere mortals.” Erin said mockingly.

Leigh stepped closed.  “Is that your way of saying you think of me as a goddess?”

“Hardly.” Erin muttered and placed the perfume back in the box.

“Oh…because flattery will get you everyway with me.”

“Unless everyway leads me to the Rhine Ruby…I’m not interested.” Was Erin’s response.

“And that’s all you’re interested in?” Leigh asked.

Hearing those words, Erin vaguely started to remember her dream. Isn’t that similar to what she asked you in your dream? She asked herself.  And the way Leigh was looking at her then was strangely like she piercing gaze she’d cast her way in the dream.  At the moment Erin became aware the fact of how close she and the woman were standing.  Also of the fact that she was only clad in a towel. “Yeah…that’s all I’m interested in” She answered abruptly as she stepped aside and reached for the clothes on the bed.  “I think I need to get dressed.” She called back over her shoulder.

“Yeah sure.” Though puzzled by the sudden mood change between them, Leigh headed toward the door.  “Well I’ll be down stairs.”

“Okay.”

Leigh turned around. “Oh by the way, feel free to use the phone.  I know you have to check in with your counter parts.  I don’t want them to think I kidnapped you or anything. ” She smiled. “ And if you do call, but sure to tell McNeil I said hello and I’m eagerly awaiting to see what he and his posse will come up with next.  They make such great playmates.  Well not as great as you…” And on that note she left the room and Erin who had been standing on weak legs, collapsed on the bed.

“What have I gotten myself into? ”She moaned to the empty room.  Without looking she reached for the phone on the nightstand and dialed.  The phone rang three times before a familiar gruff voice answered.

“Who the hell is this.” McNeil growled.

“You’ve got to stop answering the phone with such an attitude and so loudly.” Erin said.

“Erin?”

“Yeah…”

“Where are you calling from?”

“Why?”She didn’t quite feel like exposing her whereabouts just yet.

“The caller ID says “Daffy Duck.”

Erin looked up at the door that Leigh had passed through…a moment before and smiled.  My goodness…the woman has fun with everything she does.  “Guess its someone’s idea of a joke down at the phone company.”

“Yeah...” McNeil answered slowly. “Where the hell are you…I’ve been calling all morning.”

“Why? Are you still insisting on checking up on me…” Erin replied a little annoyed.

“I know I know…you’re a grown woman…as you so elegantly told me last night.” McNeil chuckled a little.  “So you made it home last night?”

“You can say that.” Well I made it to a home…just not mine.

“Well good…because it’s raining cats and dogs out there.  Also I wanted to make sure our suspect didn’t kidnap you.”

“Nope I haven’t been kidnapped.”  That’s true… at least I think so.

“Good.” McNeil paused.  “Now about last night…I understand that you and Ms. Sinclaire had quite a good time at the Lion’s Den.”

“I suppose so.”

“And you’re still claiming you’re not bosom buddies.  Because from what I hear…” McNeil’s voice dropped to a suggestive tone.

“McNeil please…” Erin wandered how detailed Bert and Mac’s report had been.  Then she made a mental note to read it as soon as possible because if she couldn’t fill in all the holes from her evening with Leigh…Dumb and Dumber’s account might be a good place to start.

“Come on, you can’t blame me for asking.  What exactly do you think you were doing?”

“I was doing what we agreed I would.  Staying close to her to further our investigation.”

“Yeah…from what I hear you were staying close to her alright.  Double body shots Erin?  Man…” McNeil sighed.  “I would have paid to see that one.”  Erin rolled her eyes.  “And then there was the whole bar fight fiasco.”

“Which I was not directly involved in.”  Well I didn’t throw any punches…

“No…you were just the reason it got started right?  I hear tall, dark, and gorgeous really kicked that guy’s ass.”

“Yeah she did.” Erin said and realized that she was smiling.  She recalled very clearly how Leigh had come to her rescue the night before.  Almost like my knight in shining armor…oops where did that thought come from.

“So tell me… did you find out any information so that we can wrap this whole case up.”

“Well…”

“Erin that sounds like a no to me. I know if seems like you two ladies were otherwise detained…but did you do any talking?”

“Yeah of course we did.”

“So what did you talk about?”

“Plenty.” Which was true.  But Erin knew that while what she and Leigh discussed gave her a chance to get to know the CEO more…she had learned nothing that could help them out in the case.Then she thought of the perfume.  “Well I do have something I’ll be checking into…hey do us both favor and check into the whereabouts of Lenny the drunken security guard…we’ll be needing to talk to him again.”

“Sure thing.”

“Good…now if you’ll excuse me I have more work to do…”

“Like what? Are you going to see Leigh Sinclaire again?”

“Perhaps…” Erin answered slowly…knowing that she would be seeing the woman very soon…hell she was just downstairs. “Why?”

“You don’t think that will be pushing it.  I mean she has to know why you’re hanging out with her.”

Nope…seems I’m the one that’s acting strange. Yeap… seems like I’m the one who’s lost their damn mind. “”Of course she knows.  McNeil to this woman this investigation is nothing more than a game. ”

“Seems that way doesn’t it.” He grumbled.  Erin could picture him scratching her stubble-covered jaw.  “The question is...what are you going to do about it.”

Erin smiled.  “The only thing you can do when you’re dealing with an arrogant player that thinks she holds all the cards…you call their bluff.”

After Erin changed into the oversized sweat pants and shirt she went looking for Leigh in the huge house.  She encountered Bernie sitting in the hallway.  “Hey Bernie where’s that crazy owner of yours.” He lifted his head as if he understood up and then got to all fours.  He walked off but not before glancing back at her, as if to tell her to follow him.

And Erin did…all the way to the downstairs.

She found Leigh in her office in front of her computer.  Erin stood in the doorway quietly studying the woman.  She was dressed in a Miami Dolphins Football Jersey with a white hat turned backwards on her head.  Erin couldn’t help but smile a little at the CEO who now looked like a college student doing a class assignment.  She held a pencil between her teeth and typed almost erratically on the keyboard  She may play a lot but I see she works a lot as well.

“This is such bullshit.” Leigh sneered as she pulled the pencil from her mouth and dropped it to the desk.

“Hey I thought today was suppose to be a fun day.  If I can’t work… neither can you.” Erin asked.

Leigh looked up from the computer to see Erin leaning lazily against the doorframe with her dog Bernie standing loyally at her feet.  She thought the blonde looked absolutely adorable in the oversized clothes and smiled a little.  Actually she looks a little more that adorable doesn’t she Leigh.  She thought as she looked at Erin’s tousled blonde hair and shining green eyes.  But I’m not going there, because I wouldn’t even know what to do once I got there.

“Believe me if I could avoid this I would.  But if its one thing I’ve learned is that when something is fucked up at SSC, it doesn’t care whether it’s a Monday morning or a Saturday afternoon. Especially when you’re dealing with idiots.”

Erin walked into the office with Bernie in tow. “So what’s the problem?”

Blue eyes regarded her skeptically. “You really wanna know?” Leigh asked.  She really didn’t like explaining things to people for the simple reason of just explaining.  It left less time to examine the problem at hand.  She had gone through this before when she’d had overnight guests.  These were men who thought they could seduce the raven-haired beauty back to bed by pretending to be interested in the very thing that had pulled her from bed.  Her work.  This tactic usually didn’t work and would often end with the guy leaving.  Leigh who was generally really good at multi-tasking, knew that she sucked at putting her social life coexists with her work.

“Someone once told me that not to ask a question that I don’t really want to know the answer to.  It simply wastes too much time.” Erin smirked, know she had used Leigh’s own words against her to prove a point.

This brought a slight smile to Leigh’s face.  “The person must be very wise.” She added with a wink.  “I mean I don’t want to bore you…this is pretty dreary stuff if you’re not into it you know.”

“Try me…”

Leigh shriveled her leather chair and motioned for Erin to come closer to the computer.  Erin walked over and placed her arm on the back of Leigh’s chair and leaned in closer until her head was right beside Leigh’s.  “See this…” Leigh pointed to the screen.  “It’s a contract that my company is trying to finalize with an application team that wants to build on top of a new project my company is developing.  My guys have been working on this all week…and those bastards still aren’t happy over that at Mercury Technologies.” While Leigh let out a frustrated sigh, Erin was busy trying to not only listen to the woman…but also trying to ignore the sensation of being so close to Leigh. Her perfume was intoxicating her senses…..”

“So is it about money?” Erin asked after she cleared her throat.

Leigh turned around and found herself looking directly into interested green eyes.  Oh… didn’t realize she was so close.  “Not exactly.” Leigh answered and then turned back to her monitor. “They are demanding way to much.  I mean not only do they want us to give them full access to all our test cases…they want us to review theirs and write some for them as well.  I mean my people don’t have extra time to do the work that MT’s people should be doing.  Not only that…they are calling my enablement team constantly everyday asking the same questions over and over.  Then complain about how they don’t know now the product works from driver to driver and so they are constantly breaking it and then calling us. They act as if they can’t read the documentation that shipped with each driver. So their solution is for SSC to send over a Unity Console Project consultant to basically stay on site at their company to answer all their questions and to keep them abreast of all new information.  This project is really new…so the enablement team doesn’t have the resources to baby-sit a particular app team.”

Leigh turned around to see Erin straighten up and then tap her chin thoughtfully.  “Now I’m no techie…but it does seem like this company is asking for quite a bit.”

Leigh nodded. “Exactly…now how can I get them to see that.  They won’t budge on their demands and I’m not going bend over backwards to accommodate their demands.”

“I don’t think you should be….but there has to be some common ground somewhere right?  Now the way I look at it is this.  This product is relatively new right?”

“Yeah…”

“And constantly changing correct.”

“Yeah…”

“And it seems that this company’s biggest concern is functionality…exactly what the new functionality is and how to use it.  For this company at least…this is where the breakdown comes in between them and SSC.”

“True.” Leigh conceded and eagerly awaiting to see where Erin was headed.

“So they believe they need constant hand holding…something which your company cannot provide them directly…”

“Umm Huh.”

“And this another situation that could possibly arise with other people in the future.”

“Yeap.” Leigh saw the wheels of thought turning in the blonde’s expression.

“Well here’s a suggestion.  Instead of just catering to this one group of people…why doesn’t your company put together some type of….I don’t know….seminar held on a regular basis that helps to inform them about the new stuff and how and how not to use it.”

Erin saw intense blue eyes studying her and then Leigh nodded her head. “I hear yah.  Let’s see every month we release a new driver or version that includes hunks of new functionality.  So perhaps at release time we hold a meeting…where we get developers to put together slides explaining how the damn thing works.  Application teams can send representative that can ask questions….but also they can call in or it can even be a video conference…..very interactive.”

Erin hunched.  “Sounds good to me.”

“Yeah….” Leigh began composing an email to Ernie about the possible proposal.  “We call these little seminars IOTs….Interchanges Of Technologies.” Leigh typed erratically and Erin could hear the excitement in her voice.

“Also since the enablement team for this project are constantly getting calls….to alleviate that…I think we could perhaps create some type of web page with a database backend…where application teams can submit comments and questions….and the enablement team with help of the developers can answer them.  This way they can be in a public place where other teams can have access to them.  This way perhaps we won’t get a lot of repeat questions.  We’ll inform app teams to go to the database before contacting the enablement team by phone or email.”

“Good idea.” Erin offered with a smile.  She was happy she could help the CEO and that her idea had perhaps inspirit Leigh’s other idea.

“Thanks for the insight…..”Again Leigh turned from the monitor to look up at Erin. “Would it be possible me to seduce you away from that insurance company of yours and get you to work for me at SSC.” Leigh smiled slowly to see Erin Bradshaw staring blankly back at her.

Apparently, Erin could not decipher any words after hearing Leigh say seduce you.  When she saw that Leigh was waiting for some type of answer…she kicked her memory into rewind and tried to remember what Leigh had asked.  “Excuse me?” was all she could muster as Leigh saw her avert her gaze.

“I asked.”  Leigh started slowly.  “If I could seduce you away from your current job to come work for me.”

Erin crossed her arms.  “Sounds like a bribe to me.   Besides I don’t think you could pay me enough to leave where I’m at.”

“True…I doubt I will be able to pay you five million dollars every time you complete a project and still live the luxurious life to which I have become accustomed. But still I think we can work something out.” Leigh grinned.  “I bet you have all kinds of useful skills in that mind of yours….I’m really interested in exploring them.” Woman you have no idea “ But first let me send finish this email really quick…..”

Again Leigh started typing on the keyboard and Erin again had the chance to study her.

"I just don't understand." Erin asked with a tone of seriousness slowly fading in.

Leigh looked up from the computer and dark eyebrows rose.  "Understand what?"

"Why you would risk all you have to pull off the Rhine Ruby stunt?"  Erin saw that Leigh was about to interject and then quickly corrected herself.  "I'm sorry... it hasn't been proven that you did it, but we both know you did." Leigh pushed her chair away from the desk and crossed her arms and waited for Erin to continue.  "Leigh you have such a brilliant mind and such a wonderfully exciting life...was the challenge that appealing and irresistible that you had to do it... and risk losing everything?"

The two women contemplated each other, while Leigh considered the question. "Kansas... life is nothing without risk." Leigh responded.

"It's not all that great without freedom either...and you've put yours on the line for nothing more than to prove that you could be a cat burglar." Erin added.

There was a silence then. Erin had been expecting Leigh to spin off some smart remark...but instead all she received from the dark-haired woman was an unwavering piercing blue stare and slight smile.

"Well as much as I would like for you to stand there and try to psychoanalyze me...they are more pressing issues." Leigh rose up from the desk and walked passed Erin.

"Such as." Erin inquired, and it was not lost on her that Leigh Sinclaire did not want continue their present conversation.

"The Dallas Cowboys are playing the Miami Dolphins." Leigh called over her shoulder before leaving the office.

"I take it you're rooting for Miami?" Erin asked as she plopped on the couch beside Leigh, who had apparently raided the refrigerator for a couple of self-made hoagies, chips, cookies, popcorn, and a 3 -Liter of Mountain Dew in the few minutes she was out of Erin's sight.

"Did my jersey give it away?" Leigh grinned and poured herself a tall glass of soda. "But actually...." She turned her white cap around.  In bold letters it read DALLAS COWBOYS.

"That's right you're from Texas... so you're rooting for your home team then."

"Actually I'm partial to both...so when either wins I'm happy." Leigh rationalized as she turned her hat back around.

"It figures..." Erin reached in the bowl and pulled back a handful of popcorn. "Personally I think both teams are overrated..."

"Ahh... don't be mad because the Kansas City Chiefs haven't been heard of since the stone ages..."

“Hey what about the year they were in the playoffs…  you know the year Joe Montana was quarterbacking.”

"So you know a little bit about football."

"A lot actually. See I..."

"No let me guess you dated the captain of the football team in high school."

Erin just sighed. "Yeah..."

"And who said that dating wasn't educational." Leigh wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Yeah I can remember teaching a few tricks of my own."

Erin rolled her eyes and tried hard to ignore Leigh's comment. But the task was proving to be hard, when her mind staring conjuring up images of what Leigh's lessons consisted up. "But also my father had three brothers and they were all football fanatics...so I kind of picked up a few things."

"Good so I don't have to sit here and explain every little thing that goes on." Leigh teased and then sipped her soda.

"Of course not..." A play on the television caught Erin's attention. "Did you just see that...." She yelled at the screen. "That is a total bullshit call if I've ever seen one."

Leigh turned to Erin and pointed to the screen. "You've got to be kidding me right?"

"No, that was unnecessary roughness..."

"No...that was called being defensive. That man was heading towards the inzone for a touchdown."

"So that gives Number eight-nine the right to ripped his head off."

"I wouldn't say ripped his head off...more like tap him really hard." Leigh laughed.

"Leigh you are so violent...."

"That's what they say." Leigh shrugged. "Granted number eighty-nine is kind of rough, but he definitely gets the job done. I went to school with him you know." Leigh added casually.

"Really? He went to the University of Miami" Erin wanted to ask if Leigh had dated him...but chose not to.

"Yeap. And Reginald Graves made me quite a bit of money at in those days." Oops...did I just say that....

Erin arched a blonde eyebrow. "How so?" Casually Leigh shrugged and never took her eyes off the television. "Oh...I ran an escort service...." She placed a piece of popcorn in mouth and waited for a reaction from Erin.

"You did what?" Erin's mouth fell open.

“You heard me.” She reached over and closed Erin’s mouth for her.“I mean you already think I’m a thief…it is that impossible to believe I was a pimp too?”

“You’re lying….”

“Nope.” Leigh shook her head vigorously and grinned rakishly. “Heidi Fleiss had nothing on me.”

Erin eyed the dark haired woman suspiciously as if considering the truth of Leigh’s confession about her former employment.

Green eyes turned to slits.  “You’re lying….” She said again with a little less confidence than before.

“Yeah…I guess I am.” Erin playfully threw a pillow at her.  “Hey…” She threw the pillow back. “I was a bookie not a pimp. Kansas you're looking at the founder of the University of Miami's biggest underground gambling ring."

Now that sounds more like it. Erin began to laugh. "I don't know why this surprises me. Its just another piece to the puzzle that makes up your crazy life."

"I guess so."

"How long did this little venture last?"

"The whole time I was in college and when I left I passed the torch onto some other kid....who shall remain nameless because some people think the whole thing is kind of illegal." Leigh whispered the last word and then chuckled a bit.

"You don't say." Erin responded with a smirk.

“And when he graduated and passed it on to someone else.”

“Sort of like a legacy of crime.”

“We weren’t the like the mafia or anything.…actually I always liked to think of myself and side activities as an undercover extension of Future Business Leader’s of America.” Leigh winked.

“Really?”

“Yeap…only it was a hell of a lot more profitable.  Kansas those were the days.  I mean the bets I took on the women’s golf teams paid a whole year’s rent my senior year. ” Leigh frowned.  “Of course this is all off the record of course.”

“Of course.” Erin answered. “How in the world did you get away with it.”

“Well it started out with me and a couple of guys from my computer classes taking friendly bets… then it grew into something much more.  Hell for a while there my the Dorm Assistant thought that I was some kind of slut or something because I had so many guys coming in and out of my dorm room.  But that ended when she won a cool grand when the men’s bowling team made it to the finals that year.  Anyway it grew so big… that I set up an encrypted website to take bets, show odds, and show game scores.  It was quite the operation… I even had a code name… the blue dragon.”

“So that’s why you got the tattoo?” An image of Leigh’s naked back and sexy tattoo flashed before her eyes.

“I guess...”

“So you’ve always been a criminal…it didn’t start with the Rhine Ruby…”

“No my friend I’ve always been a business woman…” Leigh corrected easily.

”And you think there’s a difference…” Erin sarcastically responded.

“Ouch….” Leigh said with a sly smile and realized that she was really having a good time.  If was rare that she could talk about some of her past, and feel that the person she was talking to was truly interested.  And she felt so comfortable with the woman beside her.  She hadn’t felt that way in a long time. Though she knew this woman, like more people she knew, wanted a lot more from her than her company, Leigh didn’t care.  There they were sitting on the couch, their thighs touching, and enjoying themselves as if they were old friends. Who knew being hunted down by an art bounty hunter could be so much fun. Again Leigh felt that a sense of déjà vu about her and Erin.  But soon she and the other woman’s attention was pulled back into the game.

Somewhere along the way, Erin had decided to go for the Miami Dolphins and Leigh took the side of the Cowboys.  The two women continued to banter back and forth as the game got heated.  Playfully shoving each other when “defending” their teams and stuffing themselves with all the junk food on the coffee table.

Neither noticed how they both had placed their legs on the couch, and somehow they had got intertwined.  That is until Leigh noticed a certain socked foot rubbing against her thigh.  She almost dropped the bowl of popcorn in her lap from the sensation that it caused.

“Hey watch it.” Leigh said with a light laugh as she tried to compose herself and placed the popcorn back on the table.

“Sorry.” Erin quickly pulled her foot back towards her and missed the comfortable warmth she’d felt where her leg was last positioned against Leigh. The dark haired CEO watched the blonde blush red from ear to ear.

“You know Kansas if I didn’t know any better I would think you were making a move on me.” Leigh teased and half wondered if there was any truth behind her own question.

“Don’t go flattering yourself…” Erin said as she threw another pillow at Leigh.

“What…and you said that I was violent.” Leigh said.

“What I can I say Sinclaire… you bring out the worse in me.” Erin threw yet another pillow at the smiling woman.

“That does it….” Leigh raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and her voice dropped to a menacing tone.  And without another warning, Leigh lunged across the sofa on a very surprised Erin Bradshaw.  Immediately she went on a tickling assault.

Unable to control herself, Erin immediately started giggling as she felt Leigh’s fingers trailing up and down her rib cage.

“Stop.” She pleaded as she tried to squirm free.

“Now what would be the fun in that.” Leigh said back and she continued to tickle.

“Damn it….you….are….such…..a….brat!!!!!” Erin managed to scream between contagious giggles that now had Leigh laughing as well.

Bernie watched with interested as the two women playfully wrestled on the couch.  At that point Leigh was practically straddling the smaller woman with her tall lanky frame.  She pinned Erin’s arms above her head and held her down.  Erin looked up to see blue eyes sparkling…that matched an even brighter smile.  “Have you learned you lesson?” Leigh asked.

Erin continued to struggle against the other woman, but it was no use.

"Have you learned your lesson yet?" Leigh asked again.

"And what lesson would that be... not to call you on your bullshit." Erin said irritably still struggling against the taller woman.
Damn I like this woman. "Apparently not." Leigh leaned down until her face was just inches from Erin's. "Haven't you learned by now that I am not a woman to be messed with." She said in a menacing tone that sent a slight shiver through Erin's body... that they both felt. Which made Leigh laugh.

"I have you know...if you hurt me in anyway...I'll get the whole Police Department to personally kick your ass." Erin snapped playfully.

Leigh arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Ahhhh... so you'll send your partners in crime after me...sort of like the way they're already after me. And we both know that has me shaking in my boots."

Damn I hate this woman. Erin screamed in her head...but the truth of the matter was that she didn't...to be more precise she hated the fact that she didn’t hate this woman.  And she was growing to like her more and more each time she was around her. And in this case…under her.  Speaking of which...shouldn't I be making her get off of me right about now...and yell about how unprofessional this is? I'm thinking yes...so why am I pinned under her on a couch....breathing like I just finished a 5 mile run and enjoying every minute of it? I don't know...but I think it needs to end Bradshaw. She's a suspect in a case you're working on...not your playmate for crying out loud. So Erin did the only thing she could think of to get Leigh Sinclaire off of her. She surrendered. "Fine." Erin yelled. "I give up....OK." Erin stopped struggling and just lay there with her eyes closed.

"Looks like someone is about to score." Leigh drawled lazily and caused green eyes to fling open and grow ever large.

“Say what?” Erin managed to say and she could have sworn her voice cracked a little as she said it.

Leigh nodded towards the television.  “The Dallas Cowboys are about to get a touchdown.”

“Really?” Erin cracked out once again.

“Yeah. It’s third and goal with less than a minute left on the clock.” Then she looked down at a very flustered Erin Bradshaw. “You OK?”

“Well you do have me pinned down under you on a couch while you’re watching television…I’m sure you can see how I may be a bit uncomfortable.” I hope she can’t see what else I am…

“Umm…I thought you art bounty hunters were equipped with handling the pressure’s of physical confrontations” Leigh raised a brow.  I hope she is…because I don’t if I am.

“We are…” Erin answered.  “But I don’t think they had this particular position in mind…”

“Really? I can see how a situation like this might arise.” Leigh smiled.  “You know…you getting physical with a suspect in one of your cases.” Leigh get off the woman…will yah.  Can’t you see that you’re playing with fire.

“Well…” Was all Erin could muster and Leigh saw her blush even more than before.  Deciding to give the blonde a break, slowly Leigh moved off of Erin and back to her side of the couch. “Better?” She asked.

“Not Really.” Erin pulled herself back up to a sitting position.

“No?” Leigh asked a bit confused.

“This is better…” And before Leigh knew it, Erin sprang across the couch onto her and started her own tickling assault.  She hadn’t planned on it.  What Erin had planned on doing was going back to watching the game.  But if it was one thing she had learned about Leigh Sinclaire was that playfulness was contagious…

“No fair I gave you a warning first…” Leigh struggled to say between giggles.

“Whatever Sinclaire… I’ve got you now.”

The last thing Leigh remembered before launching into a fit of uncontrollable laughter was how Erin Bradshaw’s hands felt on her body and how enjoyable it was.

Is she 30 years old or thirteen?  Erin thought at she looked at Leigh who had become preoccupied with the pinball machine in the corner of the "play room". Leigh had long ago discarded her hat, and dark wisps of hair moved back and forth with her movements. Erin hadn't noted how short Leigh shorts were until then.  The white shorts cut mid-thigh and gave more than an ample view of tanned legs. Erin watched said legs bend and unbend as Leigh played.

"What were you like as a kid?" Erin asked as she pulled her gaze away from Leigh's bottom half.

"Younger" Leigh responded not turning her attention away from the pinball machine.

"That's not what I meant."

"Really...what did you mean?" Still not looking up. Just then the pinball machine started to make all sorts of noise with blinking lights. Leigh turned Erin's way with a brilliant smile. "Well that should be a new high score." She walked over to the pool table where Erin was standing. "Now what were you saying?"

Erin sighed and was a bit annoyed that she had to repeat herself.  "What were you like as a kid?"

"Really skinny...and I asked the gods every day why I was a foot taller than almost every boy in my class." Leigh grinned and playfully stood on her tippy-toes.

"I didn't have that problem." Erin said easily.

"I figured that, shorty." Leigh teased.

"Hey..." Erin frowned.

"You brought it up." Leigh said and shrugged.  "I was also a tomboy...".

"Imagine that." Erin said sarcastically, not being able to picture Leigh as a young girl decked out in dainty dresses....then the thought occurred to her that she definitely didn't have a problem filling out dresses now. Erin remembered how she looked in the white dress the night of the auction. Nope no problem at all...Bradshaw focus...and why are you thinking of her that way anyway.

“It use to drive my mother crazy. ”

“Figures.”

“She would send me to school in some frilly little dresses and I would come home covered in dirt…so eventually she caught on and started dressing me in jeans and sneakers.  Yeah we were both happier after that.  And then... well then when she died…" Leigh said softly and then cleared her throat.  Even after all these years...it’s never easy to say.

"If you don't mind me asking...how did she die?" The articles she had read about Leigh had only stated that the CEO’s mother had died during Leigh childhood.  To Erin’s surprise they had not mentioned how.

"She was on her way to picking me up from school one day...and was hit by a drunk driver.  "Leigh still remembered that day like it was yesterday.  She had waited hours for her mother to come pick up that day at school...but she never came.  It was well after dark, when Jake Sinclaire found his daughter asleep on a bench by the bus stop.  Leigh awoke to find out her life was forever changed.

"Leigh I'm sorry." Erin laid her hand over Leigh's.

"Thanks." Leigh smiled a little.  “You know ‘til this day I don’t remember anything else about that day except my Daddy telling me that Mama wasn’t coming home anymore.  The rest is all one big blur.  Its as if that was the only thing that happened that day.”

She’s vulnerable just like everyone else. Erin thought as she looked at the normally composed woman. There were tears shining in the CEO’s eyes. Until then Leigh hadn’t noticed how Erin had slowly began to stroke her hand. Apparently neither had Erin…because when she did she pulled her hand away.

“Sorry…” Erin moved away slightly.

“For what.” Leigh winked to lighten the mood.  Then she continued their conversation. “Well after mama died, it was just me and my daddy.  He was only 28 with a daughter on the verge of being a teenager…so we sort of raised each other.” Leigh added with a shy smile and turned towards Erin. ”We were like best friends you now….we still are. See Jake Sinclaire suffers from what some people called wanderlust and I suppose he passed a little of it on to me.  I suppose because he loved my mother and I so much and wanted to give up a stable life he took on a regular gig as a mechanic. But later on when it was just the two of us…we would stay in one place just long enough for me to be in school…but when the summer came…we went on the road.  One summer we joined up with the circus…and Jake and I had a knife-throwing act.  Another summer we were part of a magic show…  I mean we had some adventures that’s for sure.“ The tears that she saw in the hair-woman’s eyes just before when talking of her mother…slowly started to disappear with the light that came from her talking about her father.  I was very apparent that they two were close.

“Where is your father now?”

“Who the hell knows.” Leigh laughed.  “I got a post card from him last month with a postmark from Australia.  But I’ll probably be seeing him soon we try to meet several times a year…especially on Mama’s birthday and her umm well you know.  We’re both busy people you know…me with be SSC and he with just being Jake Sinclaire.”

“Sounds like the apple didn’t fall to far from the tree.”

“I guess not…you know people even say I look like him.” Leigh shrugged. “What about you Kansas…what were you like as a kid?” She grinned.  “I bet you were sugar and spice and everything nice.”

"Hardly..."

"I can't tell.  So tell me was growing up in Kansas like a TV LAND mixture of the Brady Bunch, Green Acres, and the Donna Reed Show?"

"Was growing up in Texas like a bad episode of Dallas?" Erin shot back.

"Hey now...there were no bad episodes of Dallas." Leigh chuckled.  "Except for the shoulder pads and big hair...but that can be attributed to those damn 80's. If there was ever a decade to never make a come back fashion wise...that one has got to be it." Leigh pointed out.

"I totally agree." Erin nodded thoughtfully and grimaced inwardly at the memory of the catastrophe of a perm she had when she was fourteen.

"But we've gotten off subject...what was life like on the farm?"

"What makes you think I grew up on a farm?"

"I just figured that’s where they grew sweet little people like yourself.." Leigh grinned.

"You know the only reason I'm not reaching out to strangle you is because I did live on a farm." Erin admitted and wanted to wipe off that knowing smile right off the CEO's face.

"Told yah." Leigh looked over at Bernie.  "Am I good or what?" She asked the dog and he barked.

Erin ignored Leigh and her damn dog. "My mother was a school teacher and my father ran the local hardware store.  And when he wasn't working there... well he tended to the farm.  I have one sister Lisa, who is what most little sister’s are…a pain in the ass.” Erin raised an eyebrow.  “I’m surprised you don’t all of this…I would think by now you would have had me thoroughly investigated.”

“Oh I did…but damn that FedEx…” Leigh snapped her fingers. “I’m still waiting on it to be delivered.  I know next time to go with UPS.” She smiled.  The truth was that Leigh had indeed had Erin investigated.  It was always good to be schooled on your competition.  But she was only a few pages into the dossier, when she felt like she was invading into the blonde’s privacy.  Which was a weird feeling in itself.  But then she realized that she’d rather hear about Erin Bradshaw from the source.

“Whatever you say.” Erin said.

“Well go on…what was life like in the cornfields?”

“Boring as hell.” Erin laughed.  “Does that answer your question?”

Leigh was called away to yet another important phone call, so Erin took the opportunity to look around the CEO's home.  Actually it had been Leigh's suggestion right before laying into who ever had interrupted her quiet stormy Saturday afternoon.

Erin's first instinct had been to go search the house for clues, but the fact that Leigh had suggested her little expedition kind of put a damper on the idea. "It's like she has nothing to hide." Erin said to herself as she approached the living room. "But I know she does...she's just doing a damn good job of hiding it is all." Erin rationalized with a smile playing on her lips.

She spotted the baby grand piano in the corner and walked over to it. "Don't tell me the woman is a concert pianist as well." Erin muttered before sitting down and running her fingers over the cool black surface.

"Ah...I see you found my piano." Floated a voice with a touch of Texas twang that Erin liked very much.

Erin looked up and there was Leigh standing there.  Does the woman ever make a sound when she moves...."Yeah...its very nice.  You play?"

"All the time." Leigh chuckled. "But if you're specifically talking about the piano...yeah I dabble a little bit." She walked closer.  "May I?" Instead of getting up, Erin scooted over to make space for Leigh. Without hesitation Leigh sat down. “Shall I play something for you?”

“By all means.”

Leigh cracked her knuckles and then let her fingers hover over the keys for a few seconds.  And then she started to play the worse version of “Chopsticks” that Erin had ever heard.  She was about to cover her ears when the playing stopped. Leigh looked over at her apologetically. “Its been a while.”

Erin nodded her head. “I see…”Oh my goodness is there finally something wonder woman here can’t do…

“I just need to warm up is all.” Leigh started to stretch her arms and neck.  “Ok let’s give this one more try.” Before Erin could decline the offer, Leigh began to play and this time absolutely beautiful.  It was a classical piece that Erin had heard before…but could not recall the name.  She watched long slender fingers moved flawlessly over the keys until the sweet melody came to an end.

“That was wonderful. You are such a liar Leigh! ”

“Who me?  I told you I needed to warm up. ” Leigh laughed.

“Where’d you learn to play?”

“I picked it up here and there you know.” Leigh hunched her shoulders. “I also play the sax, guitar, and the drums.”

I can play the clarinet…but somehow I don’t think that compares. “Is there anything else you can’t do?”

“Or course…but I try to concentrate on all things that I can…”

“Play something else.” Erin requested.

"Okay... how about this..." Leigh started playing a slow piano melody that was vaguely familiar to Erin. Just as Erin was about to ask what it was, Leigh began singing.

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful

Stop me and steal my breath

Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky

Never revealing their depth

Erin immediately recognized the song, and it was indeed one of her favorites.  Originally a man had sung it, but coming of Leigh lips wrapped up in her husky velvety voice...it was wonderful.

Tell me that we belong together

Dress it up with the trappings of love

I'll be captivated

I'll hang from your lips

Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

Erin was totally enthralled as she listened and gazed at the woman beside her. Leigh’s eyes were closed, but her fingers still moved effortlessly over the piano. It occurred to Erin that there was a certain intimacy to the situation.  It was raining, the room was dimly lit, they were sitting so close that their thighs and hips were touching, and Leigh was singing a love song.  Not to you silly... so snap out of it. She said to herself, but it didn't help... she was mesmerized.

I'll be your crying shoulder

I'll be love's suicide

I'll be better when I'm older

I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Then just as quietly and elegantly as the song began...it ended.  And Erin was left craving more. Leigh turned to her grinned a little.

"Leigh that was..."

"I know... sappy as hell." Leigh said with a smirked.

"Well I was going to say beautiful..." My God, Erin sound like some lovesick fan at a concert.

"Really?  I mean it is a nice song." Leigh nodded thoughtfully.  "I guess that's what the world's looking for you know...and because it doesn't exist...then well I guess I shall notoriously remain Leigh Sinclaire... the female Don Juan." Though Leigh's remark on the surface came off as sarcastic, Erin heard a bit of sadness in it.

"You don't believe true love is out there?"

"You mean the bullshit in songs like this, movies, and books...nope not at all." Leigh didn't like the sad look that Erin was giving up.  "Maybe I should rephrase that OK...I don't think it exists for me."

"That's not a good outlook..."

"Don't get me wrong I've seen it in everyone around me...like take my parents for instance... they were two people that were so in love that...that you would feel giddy just being around them." Leigh said with a shy smile.  "Now if I could have what those two had..." She let the sentence trail off... Leigh is that really what you want... to be in love... maybe? It’s happened to worse folks

"Sounds like the complete opposite of my parents. I mean I guess they loved each other...hell they've been together long enough that I hope so." Erin sighed. "But it was nothing to inspire a book or anything...let alone a Valentine’s Day card. It always seemed more comfortable than passionate you know. If it wasn't for the fact that they'd had my sister I, I wouldn't even think they had sex..."

"No fire huh?"

"Exactly... my sister and I use to joke about how we secretly thought they slept in separate twin beds like on the Donna Reed show or something...."

"If there is one thing I've learned Kansas is that love is different for everyone." Leigh said.

"But its nothing for you."

"It's more like unrealized for me..."

"Out of all the guys you're dated... you didn't love any of them."

Leigh didn't even need to think about it. "Nope." She playfully bumped Erin's shoulder with her own.  "And what about you... we've covered that you're not in love...but have you ever."

"Of course."

"Of course." Leigh said in a voice to mimic Erin's and rolled her eyes.

"Very funny." Erin continued. "Actually I was engaged."

Leigh smirked. “Let me guess, the captain of the football team.  How cliché…”

“Yeah...we dated since sophomore year.”

"Ah...interesting...what happened?  Why didn't you take the walk down the aisle of doom."

"I just couldn't do it." Erin shrugged.

"That's it...." Leigh sighed dramatically. "No war between the two families, no illicit affair, no tragedy....just that you couldn't do it. I'm so disappointed."

"What were you expecting Shakespeare? Leigh everyone's breakups don't have to be drama filled and on the front page of every tabloid"

"Hey not just the tabloids...there was a small snippet once in the New York Times." Leigh reminded her with a smile.

"Oh how could I forget. But anyway...in the end Perry and I just wanted different things."

"Perry...you were engaged to a guy named Perry.  Sounds... like you dodged a bullet there Kansas." Again she playfully brushed her shoulder again against Erin’s.

"Hey he was a really nice guy..."

"But you didn't marry him..."

"I didn't want to live in Kansas the rest of life...and that's what he wanted...so in the end I guess he didn't want me." Erin said quietly as she felt a rush of old emotion settle over her.  They had been good together...there was no denying that. But there was no denying that they wanted two different things.  Often, especially when she phoned home, she wondered how different her life would have been if she had gone through with the marriage…and every time she realized that it wouldn't have been enough.

Though she had loved him, Erin knew in her heart she hadn’t been right for him.  She pictured Perry just then before her eyes…tall, handsome, dark blonde hair, brown eyes, loving, kind…and she had given him back his ring and left her hometown in search of a life that laid somewhere else.

“Are you OK?” Leigh asked as she saw the mood shift in Erin.  She must have loved him very much.

“Yeah…” Erin took a deep breath.  “It’s been a long time.”

“Any regrets?”

“None that I can’t handle anyway…how about you?  A string of eligible men left in dust…and you don’t regret any of those relationships.”

For once outside of her sessions with Dr. Duncan, Leigh really considered the question.  She’d had many relationships…all of which didn’t work for various reasons.  However, Leigh could admit to herself that she’d always the person to end it.  Especially when it became too heavy…when the men started to ask for more than she was willing to give, which was a few laughs, a few good conversations, and a whole lot of sex that at times was down right gymnastic. But in the end, it was never enough.  Not once had she ever been with someone that she could never picture herself without.  Was that something to regret… maybe?

“Honestly I don’t know.” Leigh finally answered after some thought and then looked at Erin.  “What do you think?”

“Well when you finally find the right person…I’m thinking you won’t regret for one moment that all those other relationships didn’t work out.” Erin offered.

“I suppose that’s one way to think of it.” Leigh said and noticed how Erin was studying her.  “What is it?”

“I was just wondering what kind of person it would take to turn your world upside down…the kind of person that could make you fall in love with them.” Erin said whimsically.

“Well you seem to like to figure out things…what do you think?” Leigh leaned in a little.  “What kind of person could make me fall head over heels in love with them.” Erin squinted slightly as if in deep thought.

“Well all you would have to do is walk in a room for someone to fall totally in love with you.”

Leigh smiled. “You think so… because some told me that I was a smart ass.”

“I said walk in the room Sinclaire… if you don’t speak no one would ever know about the smart ass part.”

“Hey if you keep coming at me with comments like that…I’m going to have to think that you don’t like me.”

“Really?” Erin smirked.  Actually I like you quite a bit. “But again we’ve gotten off the subject.”

“Yeah….let’s get back to the recipe for my perfect person.”

“Well let’s see…someone attractive to first catch your eye.”

“Are you saying I’m shallow.” Leigh asked

“Nope not at all.” Erin teased.

“Just making sure.”

“Ok…then they would have to see through that golden bullshit that you so love to share with everyone.”

“Ouch.” Leigh playfully said.  “I don’t know if I want to hear anymore.”

Erin paused again and tapped herself on her chin thoughtfully. “They’d have to keep you on your toes or you would get bored easily and those baby blues of yours would start to wonder.  We both know you have to constantly be entertained or you get yourself in trouble.”

“Interesting.”

“And….” Erin gave Leigh a quick once over. “They’d have to be so good that one day you would just wake up one morning and find yourself in love.  Other wise I think you would run for the hills if you had the slightest inkling that love was on the way.”

Leigh chuckled a little.  “So you think I’m afraid of love?”

“Let’s just say I don’t see your name coming off Miami’s most eligible bachelorette list any time soon.”

“I suppose not.” Leigh conceded and she couldn’t believe that she was talking openly about relationships with anyone other than Dr. Duncan.  In her mind she couldn’t help it, Erin was so easy to talk to.  It was if she was really interested in what Leigh thought and felt.  And Leigh felt the same way about her.  She could be a really good friend… Leigh thought with a bit of sadness.  And wondered for the umpteenth time since meeting Erin Bradshaw, how different things could have been if they’d met under different circumstances.   Who knows maybe we can still be friends after this whole mess I’ve made has been cleaned up….

“You alright there.” Erin waved a hand in front of Leigh face.

“What?” Blue eyes became alert.

“You kind of zoned out there for a minute.”

“Oh yeah…sorry.” Leigh looked at Erin and frowned. “Hey how did we get off on this subject anyway.  There has got to be more interesting subjects than love to talk about.”

“You know what I think you’re right.”  Erin raised a blonde brow and smirked. “Now about the Rhine Ruby heist….”

Leigh smacked herself on the head and groaned.  “Me and my big mouth.”

It was still sprinkling a little when Leigh brought Erin Bradshaw home that evening.  The silver Jaguar pulled to a smooth stop in front of the tall building.

“Well I promised that I would get you home safely.” Leigh said as she turned to her passenger.

“Yeap…who knew it would just be the next day.” Erin chuckled a little as she unbuckled her seat belt. She was now dressed in her own clothes that Leigh washed and dried for her.  “Hey next time you see Stanley tell him he did an excellent job on the inside of your car.  I mean you can’t even tell that I…”

“Tossed your cookies all over the place.” Leigh interjected with a grin and Erin frowned.

“Yeah something like that.”

“Don’t worry Kansas that will be our little secret.  That and the ultra sexy tattoo that’s on your hip.” Leigh winked. “Oh and those polaroids are locked safely away.”

“Thanks.” Erin said sarcastically and laid her hand on the door handle. “You know you’re pretty good company when you’re not playing dodge ball with this investigation.”  Actually I think even then I like you.… there’s just something about you…

“Is that your way of saying that I’m not such a bad gal after all and that you may even actually like me.” Leigh asked.

“What I’m saying is that there are worst ways to spend a rainy day.”

“You had a good time…” Leigh pointed at her and grinned.  “Well anytime you want to come over and have another sleep over I’m all for it.”

“No way…you’ll probably freeze my bra when I go to sleep.”  Erin accused.

“Of course not…I mean I didn’t last night did I?” Quickly an image of Erin lying half naked in her bed flashed before her eyes.

“No doubt a slight oversight on your part.”

“You’re probably right.” Leigh nodded and then both women laughed.

“Well I better get going…”

“Yeah sure.” Leigh tried to hide the disappointment she felt at Erin’s leaving.  Leigh was waiting for the blonde to open the door when abruptly Erin turned back towards her.  She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it.

“Yes?” Leigh asked a bit confusingly.

“I just wanted you to know that I don’t normally do this type of thing.”  Damn it Erin… why are you acting like you had a one-night stand with the woman or something… She thought.

“This type of thing being…” Leigh waited for an answer and turned down the radio.

“Well hanging out with suspects that I’m investigating.”

“Oh…of course not.  It would break my heart to think that I’m not an exception to the rule.”

“Its just that well…” Erin said a bit quietly.

Without thinking Leigh laid a hand on Erin’s arm. “I know.” She said gently. Erin nodded and smiled shyly. If was if they both finally agreed that something had transpired between them.  At some point over the last two days they had crossed a line and for now they wouldn’t talk about it. Then Leigh cleared her throat and moved her hand away.  “But that doesn’t change the rules of the game.”

“Absolutely.I’m still investigating an art theft….”

“I’m still trying not to land in jail.  By no means is that a confession.”

“A confession?  From you?  Never…” Erin smiled and finally opened the car door.  “Well I guess this is goodnight.”

“I suppose so.”

“OK”

“Alright.”

Neither woman moved.  Leigh broke the silence first.

“Hey why don’t we go get a cup of coffee or something.” Leigh offered.  Once again I’m not quite ready to see her go.

Though more tempted than she wanted to admit, Erin shook her head. “Too dangerous.” She answered honestly.

“How so?”

Erin couldn’t tell her how because she didn’t quite know herself.  All she knew was that when she was around the dark-haired woman…things happened that she was utterly unprepared for. It was like when she looked into those blues eyes, they were a neon sign saying…DANGER…enter at your own risk.  “After last night do you really have to ask.”

Leigh thought for a moment and then smiled.  “Well I suppose we don’t want to push our luck.”

“Yeah…to keep up with you need… I need all the strength I can get.  I’m even thinking about buying an oxygen tank.”

“Oh are you saying that I take your breath away.” Leigh batted her eyes. ”Ahhh Kansas that’s so sweet.  But…” Teasingly Leigh’s eyes dropped to Erin’s chest.  “It looks like you’re breathing OK to me.”  Leigh are you flirting again?  I can’t help myself. You keep saying that…time to pick a new excuse.  She lifted her gaze and the two women’s eyes met and then both smiled shyly.

Leigh swallowed hard and perhaps she had been wrong Erin’s breathing had changed.  Before she could comment, Erin got out of the car.  “Goodnight Leigh…”

“Night Kansas…until next time.”

“Yes…until then.” Erin said with a slight smile.

Erin shut the door and walked off.  As if mesmerized Leigh watched the smaller woman until she disappeared inside the building.  “You’re walking a very thin line here Sinclaire” Leigh said to the empty car as she did a U-turn to head back to her house. “Yeap… and I’ll be damned if I’m not enjoying every minute of it.”

 Part VI

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